This is my read on how Maroney will be used. If the coaching staff senses that the O line has control of the line, then Maroney will get many opportunities. If the line play is neutral or worse, the pounders will be used. As BB says ...it is what it is...we all know his game...indecisive when approaching a clogged LOS.

I didn't realize that Sam Aiken is going to be backing up Welker, while Edelman is the understudy for Galloway!

And check it out, Shawn Springs is starting over Wilhite after all.

And the biggest item of all: they're sticking with the 3-4 base. But they must really lack confidence in Woods, because he has 3 backups and Thomas has none. That's pretty scary if Thomas goes down, huh?

In watching the Titans the other night, I noticed that Chris Johnson looks like a faster duplicate of Maroney. They run the same way, with Maroney having a little more power. The Titans O-line is built for running though, and that makes a huge difference. Maroney just might be successful somewhere else in the NFL.

In watching the Titans the other night, I noticed that Chris Johnson looks like a faster duplicate of Maroney. They run the same way, with Maroney having a little more power. The Titans O-line is built for running though, and that makes a huge difference. Maroney just might be successful somewhere else in the NFL.

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On this team, he will likely only get 12-15 carries a game and maybe 2 or 3 passes, and not in every game either, and in some seasons our OL has been inconsistent in run blocking.

Hopefully Maroney plays his role well this year and gets his yards and helps us win. He will probably go to another team for more money in the future and maybe he can land with a team structured around the run game.

I didn't realize that Sam Aiken is going to be backing up Welker, while Edelman is the understudy for Galloway!

And check it out, Shawn Springs is starting over Wilhite after all.

And the biggest item of all: they're sticking with the 3-4 base. But they must really lack confidence in Woods, because he has 3 backups and Thomas has none. That's pretty scary if Thomas goes down, huh?

But while we are at it, when did Belichick decide to relinquish his depth chart creation responsibilities to the guys at Patriots Football Weekly. Maybe if he doesn't like their depth chart, he might want to call Borges at the Herald and give him a pass at it.

to be honest, i didn't know the Pats had a depth chart, or at least one that they made public. he's been in the same place on the Pats Web Page's "Unofficial Depth Chart" for a long time, so maybe somebody is just reaching for a story.

Trying to imagine a presser where BB is asked about his depth chart...

Q: Coach, can you tell us how you rank your RB's going into the season?
A: As a coaching staff, we're always looking at players, how they're doing, where they need to get better.

Q: But how do you look at them when you think about comparing one to another?
A: Well, if we see something that needs improvement, we get to work on it right away.

Q: Specifically, Coach, where do you put, say Maroney, in relation to the others?
A: He's right up there, I mean he works hard at practice and listens to the Coaches.

Q: So, you don't have a system for ranking Laurence or the other backs?
A: (slight Belichickian smile) Well, Maroney's number is 39, so I guess that puts him ahead of some guys and behind maybe another...are there any other questions?

to be honest, i didn't know the Pats had a depth chart, or at least one that they made public. he's been in the same place on the Pats Web Page's "Unofficial Depth Chart" for a long time, so maybe somebody is just reaching for a story.

Trying to imagine a presser where BB is asked about his depth chart...

Q: Coach, can you tell us how you rank your RB's going into the season?
A: As a coaching staff, we're always looking at players, how they're doing, where they need to get better.

Q: But how do you look at them when you think about comparing one to another?
A: Well, if we see something that needs improvement, we get to work on it right away.

Q: Specifically, Coach, where do you put, say Maroney, in relation to the others?
A: He's right up there, I mean he works hard at practice and listens to the Coaches.

Q: So, you don't have a system for ranking Laurence or the other backs?
A: (slight Belichickian smile) Well, Maroney's number is 39, so I guess that puts him ahead of some guys and behind maybe another...are there any other questions?

I expect Morris to start (a nod to his consistent contributions over the past 2 years) and split time more or less equally with Taylor. As someone (I forget who) stated here yesterday, Maroney's playing time is likely to depend on the early success of the offensive line. If the line is mauling out there, expect Maroney to get 8-10 touches. If the line is struggling, Maroney might warm the bench.

I do think Maroney will be the primary kick returner while Slater and Edelman get healthy.